The magic of the FA Cup returns to Merseyside tonight, Saturday, January 10, 2026, as Everton hosts Sunderland in a high-stakes, all-Premier League third-round tie. Kick-off is set for 12:15 GMT at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
For Everton manager David Moyes, this fixture is a reunion with a former club and a vital opportunity to reset. While the Toffees are navigating a patchy run in the league, a deep cup run remains a priority for a club that hasn't lifted this trophy since 1995. For Régis Le Bris's Sunderland, it is a chance to prove that their excellent season since promotion wasn't just a flash in the pan.
Match Details: Kick-off & Official Info
Competition: FA Cup (Third Round)
Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
Kick-off: 12:15 GMT / 07:15 ET
Venue: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool
Referee: John Brooks (VAR: In use)
Broadcast: TNT Sports 5 / discovery+ (UK), ESPN+ (US)
The Storyline: Moyes’s Crisis vs. Le Bris’s Ambition
Everton: Navigating the Absences
Everton enters the tie reeling from a chaotic 1–1 midweek draw against Wolves, a match that saw them reduced to nine men. Moyes is currently facing a "mounting availability crisis," with key players missing through suspension, injury, and international duty. The Toffees have struggled at home recently, winless in their last three at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, making this cup clash a crucial test of squad depth and mental resilience.
Sunderland: The Search for a Spark
The Black Cats have had a stellar return to the top flight but arrive in Liverpool following a heavy 3–0 defeat to Brentford. Sunderland is currently winless in five matches and will be desperate for a response. Having already held Everton to a 1–1 draw at the Stadium of Light earlier this season, Le Bris knows his side has the quality to frustrate the Toffees and secure a spot in the fourth round.
Team News & Absences
Everton Team News
Suspensions: Jack Grealish and Michael Keane are both unavailable following their red cards against Wolves.
Injury Ward: Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Carlos Alcaraz are all sidelined until mid-January.
AFCON Duty: Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye are away with their respective national teams.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Patterson; Garner, Armstrong, Iroegbunam; McNeil, Barry, Brobbey.
Sunderland Team News
Fitness Boosts: Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku, and Bertrand Traoré are back in contention after their countries were eliminated from AFCON.
Doubt: Striker Wilson Isidor faces a late fitness test following a minor knock. Ajibola Alese (shoulder) remains out.
Key Absentees: Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi are still active at AFCON.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, Ballard, Mukiele, Cirkin; Xhaka, Neil; Mundle, Rigg, Adingra; Mayenda.
Head-to-Head (H2H) & Key Stats
Historic Rivalry: This is the 186th meeting between the two sides. Everton has 83 wins to Sunderland's 71.
Cup History: This is the first FA Cup meeting between the clubs since 2012, when Everton won a quarter-final replay 2–0.
Moyes's Hex: David Moyes has been eliminated in eight of his last ten FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition.
Recent Form: Both teams have struggled for consistency; Everton has 1 win in 6, while Sunderland is winless in 5.
Tactical Analysis: Battle of the Midfield
With Everton's defensive line significantly weakened, the pressure falls on James Garner to dictate play and protect the back four. Moyes will likely opt for a pragmatic approach, relying on the pace of Dwight McNeil to exploit Sunderland's high line.
Sunderland will look to leverage the experience of Granit Xhaka in the middle to control the tempo. If the Black Cats can feed Romaine Mundle and Simon Adingra early, they can capitalize on Everton's defensive shuffles.
Match Prediction
Given the significant absences for Everton and Sunderland's recent struggles, this tie has "replay" (or penalty shootout) written all over it. However, the quality of Sunderland's returning AFCON stars might just tip the scales against a depleted Toffees side.
Final Score Prediction: Everton 1–2 Sunderland
